Portland food news and views
Portland! It’s where I live, work, and play. It’s where the food news happens (at least most of it). This category is one of the real constants on Bridgetown Bites and is probably a part of almost every post on this blog.
A Bridgetown Bites tipster alerted me to a new Vietnamese restaurant poised to open: The Paper Bridge, which will be located in the old La Luna Cafe space on SE Ash Street and 9th Avenue. They will serve northern Vietnamese food.
Continue reading “The Paper Bridge, Offering Northern Vietnamese Cuisine, Will Open in SE Portland”Yaowarat opens today. What was Lazy Susan in Montavilla is now Yaowarat, which we mentioned here back in July. It is brought to you by Akkapong Earl Ninsom and crew, makers of much deliciousness in Portland. The food is “Thai-Chinese street food both along Bangkok Chinatown (Yaowarat neighborhood) and the restaurants that we fell in love with from travel and grew up eating (during my college time),” according to Ninsom. Surprisingly, Montavilla does not have much in the way of Thai restaurants, so this is a pretty great addition to the neighborhood.
No takeout, no reservations, no phone—yet. They’ll be open Wednesdays to Sundays, 5pm to 10pm, at least to start. Check out the PDX Monthly article on them from earlier this month to get a better picture of the whole shebang. 7937 SE Stark Street, Portland
The Yanick Room is open. Over at Kann, they have put together a private dining room for large parties, 12 guests to 36 guests. The Yanick Room is named after Chef Gourdet’s mom. Access reservations through Resy. 548 SE Ash Street, Portland
What’s next for the Woodsman Tavern space(s). The Oregonian tells us what’s what with these two spaces: the restaurant and market. Los Burros Supremos, a burrito shop, will take over the market space; La Leñadora, “a full-service restaurant with lamb shank birria, sizzling Oregon albacore fajitas and lots of Mexican seafood.” Read more about the plans here. 4537 SE Division Street, Portland
Mattino’s Wines is closing their shop. We wrote about this sweet spot last October, and by the end of their run on October 29, they will have been open for around a year. On Instagram they explain why all is not lost: “We feel excited about our next chapter at 935 SE Hawthorne. We are taking it in a new direction — a wine delivery service, club, and space that hosts gatherings. There’s so much to share about these upcoming changes. Stay tuned.” Best of luck to them in this transition. 935 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland
An example of Chicken Pho Phở Gà (shredded chicken with rice noodles in chicken broth) from Hà VL, sister to the new Annam VL.
You may know that Hà VL and Rose VL are some of the most beloved Vietnamese restaurants in Portland. Hà VL was nominated for a James Beard award in 2020 in the Outstanding Restaurant category (keep track of their soups on the Hà VL Daily Soups page; Rose VL is well-known for its cao lầu. So it’s very exciting to tell you that they are opening a third restaurant in Portland, called Annam VL, in the Belmont neighborhood this fall.
Continue reading “Annam VL Is Coming to the Belmont Neighborhood”
One of the best cakes in all of Portland, the Sicialian Ricotta Cake (so good, I had it at my wedding reception).
The news came via their newsletter this morning: Sebastiano’s, the wonderful Sicilian-American bakery and deli, is leaving Montavilla. They will be gone by the end of 2023.
Continue reading “Sebastiano’s Is Leaving Montavilla”Zuckercreme is approaching its next chapter. Brittany over at Zuckercreme in Montavilla posted an update on the business and announced “we’re open through the end of the year as zuck ~currently~ exists.” She continues, “i love everything she has been and will be, and this is not a goodbye! however, a lot is going to happen in these next few months that will determine what the next chapter of zuckercreme is, and that’s where i’m writing to you.” However, she leaves the most important detail toward the end: she’s having a baby in March! Read more about her thoughts on Zuckercreme on Instagram. 414 SE 81st Avenue, Portland
Kaah Market is looking for a new space. Currently located—and there since the beginning—at the Portland Mercado, Kaah Market announced this week that they “have been given a no reason termination of their lease.” The market will close there Wednesday, November 1. They are looking for a new space, so if you have any leads, let them know. Maybe the Republica folks could fold them into their world? I love this little market and wish the Kaah people on the best as they navigate their next steps. 7238 SE Foster Road, Portland
Fig Fest is this weekend! One Green World Nursery, one of the most interesting places to buy plants in Portland, is holding their Fig Fest again. Head there on Saturday and/or Sunday to check out the range of fig trees they sell, taste figs—weather permitting—and enjoy fig-inspired drinks and treats. Maybe even buy some plants. It’s really a great nursery, and worth it for any plant lover to experience the place. 6469 SE 134th Avenue, Portland
The Deck’s closing party is Sunday. You may have seen me talk about The Deck on Instagram—a restaurant serving American food essentially out on the Columbia River. They are seasonal, and are closing up shop after this weekend. Sunday’s the party: “Join us for our season’s grand finale on September 24th! 🌟 Swing by and celebrate with us, and enjoy all-day happy hour specials! 🥂” 2901 NE Marine Drive, Portland
